Approximately 100 guides can be found in locations from the lava tubes of Undara to far north Queensland’s rainforests, Riversleigh’s fossil fields, Cape York’s telegraph station and across to Kakadu and the Kimberleys — and beyond.

Providing sustainable, unique visitor access

Savannah Guides manager Russell Boswell explained that the not-for-profit network of professional tour guides and tour operators works with national parks, researchers, and local communities to highlight a region’s unique natural features.

In addition, he manages about 65 accredited Wet Tropics Guides between Townsville and Cooktown and a national program of about 106 Eco Guides.

“It’s a really growing movement of professionalism among all these tour guides and Savannah Guides has probably, as an organisation, been the core of that movement,” Mr Boswell said.

“It started about 30 years ago when some gulf savannah cattlemen and some Indigenous rangers thought ‘gosh, if the cattle prices go down again, we’re in trouble’.

“So they diversified into tourism and through that, they started to investigate the best way to do tourism and how to become really good tour guides.

“[Our guides] have a great passion for sharing their country with their visitors.”

Tourists benefit from knowledge

Travellers Julie and Gary Bradley from Sydney’s Picnic Point have come across Savannah Guides both at Adel’s Grove and at the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum at Winton.

“You get the opportunity to find out both the geography and a little bit of history of the country, which you can’t capture unless you have that subject matter expert,” Ms Bradley said.

“At Winton, they were very young guides who were either very keen on their subject or locals and that was impressive.”

The couple agreed the Savannah Guides had enhanced their experience of both locations.

Caravanners, Jane and David Smith of Yeelanna, South Australia, have come across Savannah Guides in several locations.

“We have been very impressed by them; they are very knowledgeable about their subjects,” Ms Smith said.

Those signing up to become Savannah Guides range from tree-changers, semi-retired older people, school leavers in regional towns looking for a career, and an increasing number of Indigenous rangers.

“There are a lot of people who are looking to adjust their ‘nature deficit disorder’ and get back in touch with the land,” Mr Boswell said.

Field schools open to all

In order to become accredited, potential guides must attend up to two field schools, which are held at Savannah Guide locations twice a year.

It is not a requirement to already be a guide to attend a school, although professional guides find them a source for networking and vocational development.